Coat of Arms - about

The Society's coat of arms reflects The Royal Photographic Society's standing as a Learned Society enjoying Royal patronage and its contemporary attitudes with the historical bonds which have ensured continuity and stability from the earliest days of The Society.

The Society's coat of arms reflects The Royal Photographic Society's standing as a Learned Society enjoying Royal patronage and its contemporary attitudes with the historical bonds which have ensured continuity and stability from the earliest days of The Society.

Arms: These elements represent the basis of black and white photography, and that photographic images are perceived through the eyes with all light and energy ultimately deriving from the sun.

Crest: The concept of the lynx on the crest derives from the fact that the lynx, in mythological terms, is said to have the power of being "all seeing" - into and through substances - and therefore is appropriate to photography and imaging. The device held by the lynx represents both the basis of photography - the rare and normal crystalline habits of silver halides - and commemorates the historic time of The Society at the Octagon in Bath.

Supporters: The lions on either side of the shield with their ciphers (V and A) pay tribute to our historical connections and Royal Patronage dating back to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The lions are based on those on Prince Albert's garter stallplate at St. George's Chapel, Windsor.

Motto: The motto translated is all life perceived to indicate that the ability and potential for photography to observe and record (and thereby help us to understand) so much of that which constitutes our life.

Badge: The badge is based on the device held by the lynx (described above) which in turn is taken from the old brand of The Society and it also incorporates an ancient royal crown.

If you are member of The RPS and would like to add the coat of arms to your website, please click here to download the authorised version and to read the conditions of use.

Connect with us

Copyright Notice Warning: This web site comprises and contains copyright materials.
You may not distribute, copy, publish or use the images or any part of the images
in any way whatsoever. You may not alter, manipulate, add to or delete an image
or any part of an image. Copyright for all the images remains with the photographer, contributor or The Royal Photographic
Society. A link to a non-Society site does not imply endorsement.